another whether to haul cheap freight question

**dannythetrucker** · 06.21.2012

Here's the scenario. I have two partials both paying decent from Wisconsin. One going to San Antonio, one going to Hidalgo, TX. I found this other partial from Bellevue, IA to Laredo, TX. It was listed as 7ft, 4000 lbs. talking to the broker it already grew to 8 ft, 5000 lbs. We had settled on $800 which was a little low, but Bellevue is right on the way and Laredo is in the vacinity on the dumping off end.

So the first wierd thing was after signing the contract and faxing it back I get an email saying, "Oh, this new girl messed up it's only paying $600". So I passed on $600, I told him to ask his customer if they could do $800, I wouldn't go lower. But now I think I have a load coming back to Indiana and guess where it's coming from ?? yep, Laredo. So now I'm going past Bellevue on my way. I have to wind up at Laredo anyway, do I take the $600 ? I mean, there ain't a lot of partials I can stick on the top deck to make this load work.

Maybe if I'm lucky he'll call me back in the morning and agree to the $800, but if not I think I'm gonna grab it for $600, it's just too convenient. and that extra $600 makes this load $2.56/mile instead of $2.22

**dannythetrucker** · 06.21.2012

another factor is I'm loading the Wisonsin's tomorrow (friday) and delivering monday. so it's not like I can hold out for something along the trail either

**Sly Fox** · 06.22.2012

I don't deal with partials much except on a load from a broker who assembles them and can give really good rates out of low priced areas (like, $4/mi out of New Jersey). But, I'd stick to your guns. You said $800, don't let them win. They'll think you're desperate from here on out. You're the sucker that will just take $200 less. Hopefully they'll at least offer $700 and you can meet in the middle and maybe take that. But, I wouldn't cave. I've had a few times where looking back it probably would've been better for me to take the load at the rate the broker gave based on delivery points, etc, but I also found out some good freight later on because they know i'm not cheap.

**RedForeman** · 06.22.2012

Too many changes for my taste. I'd wait him out and forget about it if he doesn't call back. Plus make a note to expect that from him in the future. Only exception would be for a regular, good customer where you know it was an honest, one-time mistake.

**Les2** · 06.22.2012

You need to run the miles on that load! Its over 1300 for only $600. Even at $800 it wasn't enough.

**Sly Fox** · 06.22.2012

Originally Posted by Les2

You need to run the miles on that load! Its over 1300 for only $600. Even at $800 it wasn't enough.

It's a partial, not a full load. He's loading other partials to get up to $2.22/mi for all miles. Partials pay a lot better than a single load when you combine enough of them. For instance, if the standard rate from point-to-point is about $2/mi, you might get three partials near the same pick up and drop points that equal out to $3/mi for all miles driven. They're paying you less than truck load because they know you can haul more, but each of them has to do it. It adds up.

**Madeintheusa** · 06.22.2012

Take it, offset your operating expence

**misterG** · 06.22.2012

Danny, you have a contract. You have an agreed upon price. The broker is trying to force you to take a loss.

**Les2** · 06.22.2012

Originally Posted by Sly Fox

It's a partial, not a full load. He's loading other partials to get up to $2.22/mi for all miles. Partials pay a lot better than a single load when you combine enough of them. For instance, if the standard rate from point-to-point is about $2/mi, you might get three partials near the same pick up and drop points that equal out to $3/mi for all miles driven. They're paying you less than truck load because they know you can haul more, but each of them has to do it. It adds up.

LMAO!
I was hauling partials/LTL's back in the 90's. Now I remember why I quit. To many suckers hauling them for stop off rates! There is a lot to consider wheny hauling partials, I'm not gonna take the time to explain it, as it would be pointless being most on here are just trucking to break even anymore.